The new STARZ pirate-themed series Black Sails doesn’t premiere until January 25th at 9pm ET/PT, but the network has already renewed it for a second season! 

And not only that – STARZ has also made the first episode available to watch via its YouTube channel, 4 days ahead of its TV premiere.

Hakeem Kae-Kazim (above, in character, from a scene in the series) and Jessica Parker Kennedy (left) both co-star in the series, appearing in 8 episodes and 7 episodes respectively, during the first season (there are a total of 8 episodes ordered for the first season, so both will appear in all or most of them). 

Hakeem plays the role of Mr. Scott, the right hand man of weapons dealer, Eleanor Guthrie (played by Hannah New) – the daughter of Richard Guthrie, the wealthiest black marketer in the Bahamas and the chief fence/supplier for the many pirate crews of New Providence Island. Formerly Richard Guthrie’s house slave, Mr. Scott’s loyalties will be put to the test as Eleanor allies herself more closely with Captain Flint. 

Meanwhile Jessica Parker Kennedy will play a character named Max, who’s described as a french prostitute, seductive, cunning, and cool-headed. In Eleanor Guthrie, she’s found a kindred spirit, a lover, maybe even a savior, but when her aspirations and Eleanor’s begin to conflict, their relationship, and Max’s well-being, take a dark turn for the worse, says the press description.

Both are said to be “main characters” in the series, which is executive produced by Michael Bay.

One of a few pirate-themed projects on the horizon, Black Sails is a pre-quel to Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale Treasure Island.  The series is set 20 years prior to the novel and follows Captain Flint and his men as they fight to avoid authorities on the notorious New Providence Island, a cutthroat world of murderers, outcasts, and thieves, all hustling to survive..

The 8 episode series was shot in South Africa at Cape Town Studios under the direction of Neil Marshall (The Descent and Centurion).

Here’s the brief synopsis for Episode 1, which airs on the network on January 25, but which you can watch right now (embedded below):

1715: The Golden Age of Piracy. New Providence is a lawless island, controlled by history’s most notorious pirate captains. The most feared: Captain Flint.

Watch episode 1 below: